Philip B Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 On 5/9/2018 at 4:51 PM, Ron said: I have just a few pictures of RAF 741's and I don't think there was anything specific about the markings. I guess it was just decided at unit level. They did seem to often display a roundel. The bikes would have been supplied in service colour. (US Olive Green?) The inspection picture in Jerusalem in 1945 is probably post war and by now it looks to me as if they have painted the left side of the tank in shiny blue with a roundel (anxious to show their true colours I expect) With a serial number on the white tips of both mudguards. If I was going to depict my 741 as RAF (and it could well be?) I would paint a roundel on each side of the tank with a black serial number on white on the mudguards. No RAF records survive, so it's make it up time. The numbers that I can see in the Jerusalem picture are RAF 10108? - 10010? - 99263? Ron Hello again Ron, Thanks again for the info regarding the book, I was able to buy a copy of it on eBay. I'm making a ultra low budget documentary on a motorcycling theme and as part of it I filmed a dear old 93 year old gentleman who was in the RAF and rode Indians. He talks of having been in Jerusalem, amongst other places in North Africa, and may well have been at this base. I also note with interest from the photo of the parade that at that time the bikes seem to have been painted in camouflage just like the planes and that the RAF roundel looks to have been divided across it's diameter with darker tones on the opposing side of it - no doubt to make the rider and machine less of a target!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 It's a theory Philip. But with B&W pictures it's hard to tell. But I stick with my theory that since the war is probably over, they just repainted the left tank in shiny RAF blue/grey. As a token to reverting back to their own colours. The war had decreed that RAF vehicles should be in service green or brown. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve willys Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 I noticed in lexs photos the fifth one down looks like it was taken in Northern Europe, maybe Germany or Austria, this is the first time I have seen an Indian in this theatre. Is there any more info on this photo thanks steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 I'll check Steve, but think that's in Holland, there were many, many 741's here, mostly with the Canadians, I didn't get that far with my pictures, there's many more to go! If it's not too boring? Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve willys Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Please keep them coming Lex, I have been trying to find any info/ photos of Indians in Northern Europe and these are the first for me steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroman Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 People on the left seem to have danish flags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 (edited) Yes, that's indeed in Denmark! Here some Canadians with 741's mostly in Holland. Last 3 pictures in Groningen. Lex Edited November 8, 2020 by welbike additional info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 The Canadians did like their lamps and mirrors and sitting on the tank???? Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 (edited) Yes, they sure did! I tried that for some time, but keep slipping back on the saddle! Lex PS, next country, Russia, only 2 pictures. and a manual in Russian!!! Edited November 8, 2020 by welbike additional info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 I did wondered if their strange riding position habit was to try and replicate the riding position of the Indian's and Harley's that they were more used to? But seeing that 741 rider has got me beat! But a piece of sorbo rubber on the tank did give them the facility to carry two Dutch lady passengers at once. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve willys Posted November 8, 2020 Author Share Posted November 8, 2020 Strange that the Canadians didn’t like the Harley wla so they came up with the wlc with the hand clutch. I wonder what they made of the Indian controls and if they ever modified them great pictures Lex steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Thanks Steve! More will follow! re. Indian controls, there was a batch of 50 modified with Norton bars and controls, but never seen one, or a picture. Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, welbike said: re. Indian controls, there was a batch of 50 modified with Norton bars and controls, but never seen one, or a picture. Lex And I've often wondered what that might have been like and what the Hell difference it would have made?? Quote Edited November 8, 2020 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Yes, well, maybe it was a test, as there must have been accidents with these bikes. Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 OK, here's some more 741's. This time a lone South African one. Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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